Play Japanese games on US NES/SNES

[369WIERDO369]

Is there any kind of adaptor to play Japanese Famicom games on the NES, or Japanese Super Famicom games on the SNES?
How much would such a thing generally cost, and what games would be most worth getting?

Thanks =)

[todesengel]

There are adapters to play Famicom carts on an NES and you can get them for around $10 most of the time. I believe there are a few for sale here on the forums. As for Super Famicom, just pop out the tabs inside your SNES with a pair of small needle nose pliers. Those tabs are the only thing keeping you from play SFC carts in your SNES.

[Steve W]

The Famicom-to-NES adapter that's the most widely known is the Honeybee. Also, the first generation of NES games were frequently Famicom carts with a pin converter attached to them, stuffed inside a US cart shell. Usually Gyromite carts are the most likely candidates for having converters inside them.

[mobiusclimber]

There ARE converter carts for the SNES, as well as various other ways to play Sufami games on the SNES besides breaking the tabs off (Nanitek Gamesaver comes to mind). There's even a converter that lets you play Fami and Sufami games on the SNES! (Forgot who but someone was selling one on the boards... AB Positive, maybe?)

As for what games are worth it, I'd do a search of the forums if I were you. I'm pretty sure that's been asked and answered a million times.

[badinsults]

A Game Genie can also work as a converter for the snes (presuming you don't care about stuff like Super FX and SA-1 games). As with the SNES mod, you also have to remove the plastic tabs.

[Natty Bumppo]

I have an innovation super 8 converter - it fits onto a snes and will play all 4 - snes, nes, famicom and super famicom. While it does play them, it takes some jiggling around to do it. The physical tolerances that it has are kind of squirrely - the cartridges are extremely hard to get out when you want to change them out and you usually have to jiggle the unit around so the connections
work and you get a signal out of it. Once you get past those problems it does indeed work.

Here is a video on it that someone made:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPAu48MCnHg

[369WIERDO369]

There are adapters to play Famicom carts on an NES and you can get them for around $10 most of the time. I believe there are a few for sale here on the forums. As for Super Famicom, just pop out the tabs inside your SNES with a pair of small needle nose pliers. Those tabs are the only thing keeping you from play SFC carts in your SNES.


There's no other form of region-lock on SFC carts?

[MarioMania]

There's no other form of region-lock on SFC carts?

Google is your friend

[todesengel]

There's no other form of region-lock on SFC carts?
Nope, those tabs are the only thing stopping you from playing SFC carts in your US SNES.

[Aussie2B]

Same thing with N64, just tabs.

I also recommend going with the adapter for NES and the simple mod for SNES.

[369WIERDO369]

Google is your friend

Whenever I try Google, I always end up with contradictions on everything.
But I know that people here always seem to know what they're talking about.


So to everyone who gave me any suggestions, I thank you greatly! =)

[369WIERDO369]

Alright, well, I have been trying this all morning, with no luck.
I've used three different pairs of pliers on my SNES, and the two tabs just refuse to break. The one is ridiculously mangled at the top, but they aren't budging. I've also tried a hammer-and-screwdriver method I heard about, and a knife, but these things just aren't coming out. Any tips?

[369WIERDO369]

The Famicom-to-NES adapter that's the most widely known is the Honeybee. Also, the first generation of NES games were frequently Famicom carts with a pin converter attached to them, stuffed inside a US cart shell. Usually Gyromite carts are the most likely candidates for having converters inside them.


Is there any way to take these carts apart without the gamebit?

[mobiusclimber]

Is there any way to take these carts apart without the gamebit?

A regular screwdriver is all that is required for those carts. They didn't start using those weird screws until later.

[Aussie2B]

Don't expect the tabs in the SNES to break. The plastic isn't like that. If you've gotten them mangled, then you're already on the right track. Just bend back and forth and the plastic will slowly whittle away.

[369WIERDO369]

A regular screwdriver is all that is required for those carts. They didn't start using those weird screws until later.


Oooh, okay!
And then, if I were to get the converter out of them, would I be able to use it without a plastic case on it?

[369WIERDO369]

Don't expect the tabs in the SNES to break. The plastic isn't like that. If you've gotten them mangled, then you're already on the right track. Just bend back and forth and the plastic will slowly whittle away.


Yes, I did eventually get them off.
Now I just need to find a SFC game to play, haha.

I've also heard that you need to "shave away" the corner of one of the wider pieces of plastic in the slot, is this true?

[Aussie2B]

Nope, removing the tabs is all you need to do.

[mobiusclimber]

Oooh, okay!
And then, if I were to get the converter out of them, would I be able to use it without a plastic case on it?

If you have a toploader NES then yeah. Otherwise you'll want to find a good way of getting it in and out of the NES. A Game Genie *might* work (I've never tried it), or just gluing a piece of ribbon to the back of it might also work (which is basically what Honeybee and all the knockoff ones do). If you have to line up your NES carts just right to get them to work, tho, the converter is NOT going to work right for you. You could do some surgery on the Gyromite cartridge to make it easier to use, or you could bust open whatever Famicom game you want to play and just put the PCB into the Gyromite cart. That should be a way last resort tho.

[edit: This is what I meant by "doing surgery" on the Gyromite cart. Keep in mind you don't need to open up the Famicom cart for this to work:]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/projektkeinherz/IMG_0383s.jpg

[NayusDante]

I think it's worth pointing out that the Retro Duo works well in this situation, since it's comparable to an NES top loader and a tab-modded SNES in one unit, thus great for imports. I play my copy of Rockman X on my RD all the time.

[The 1 2 P]

I use a super adapter for my Super Famicom games and another converter similiar to the honeybee for my Famicom games. I always prefer adapters over any kind of mods/cart mutilation.

[369WIERDO369]

Sadly, I have yet to acquire any kind of adaptor for this.
I purchased a Gyromite cart yesterday, but I guess I didn't pay enough attention to it because I got home and realized it's got the weird screws in it.

Would it be worth mentioning that I've got the Yobo FC game console? Does this make it easier or harder to use the Gyromite converter?

[NayusDante]

The Yobo clones are top-loaders, and there's less room to push the cart in, so it's easier. With a real NES, you'd have to find a way to pull the converter out from the back of the cart slot, but it should still be sticking out the top of the Yobo.

[369WIERDO369]

The Yobo clones are top-loaders, and there's less room to push the cart in, so it's easier. With a real NES, you'd have to find a way to pull the converter out from the back of the cart slot, but it should still be sticking out the top of the Yobo.


Awesome.
And I should be able to use the converter without modifying a case to fit it in?

[NayusDante]

Yeah, but that's still not a bad idea.

[369WIERDO369]

Yeah, but that's still not a bad idea.

I'm trying to modify as little as possible so I don't have too much to screw up. =/

[Stringfellow]

I have an extra famicom to nes convertor that I'll sell you. PM me if your interested and we can work out a deal.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Sadly, I have yet to acquire any kind of adaptor for this.
I purchased a Gyromite cart yesterday, but I guess I didn't pay enough attention to it because I got home and realized it's got the weird screws in it.

Would it be worth mentioning that I've got the Yobo FC game console? Does this make it easier or harder to use the Gyromite converter?

Hate to rain on your parade but Gyromite carts with NES gamebit screws will very likely NOT not have a converter in them.

There are two indicators that are nearly 100% guaranteed to net you a converter.

1.) It needs to be a 5-screw, standard screw cartridge. No gamebit screws.

2.) (Thanks to InsaneDavid for this tip) The pin connectors coming off the bottom of the cartridge need to look like this:

3726

NOT like this:

3727

While there may be examples that contradict these criteria in the wild, the above - ESPECIALLY the chip example is the right way to hunt for Gyromites with converter boards.

[Sanriostar]

Re: SNES Mod:

*Hot* butter knife. Melt/cut away the plastic on the back of the cart slot. It will then break off with needle-nose pliers.

[369WIERDO369]

So I have decided that I need to stop being cheap and just go ahead and buy a darn Gyromite with a converter. (Since the $5 one had those silly gamebit screws...)

What would be the best way to go about modifying the Gyromite cart to better fit the converter?

[Richter Belmount]

Remove the tabs on a game genie and play imports that way if you dont want to ruin a prefectly good snes

[InsaneDavid]

So I have decided that I need to stop being cheap and just go ahead and buy a darn Gyromite with a converter. (Since the $5 one had those silly gamebit screws...)

What would be the best way to go about modifying the Gyromite cart to better fit the converter?

This is my method...

http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/editorials-davidnesconvert003.jpg

http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/editorials-davidnesconvert005.jpg

What does it require? A lot of time.

I sell them when I have one on hand but I haven't made one in years. The cost was equal to someone buying a dremel, a hot glue gun, and a bench vise. ($50.00 +/-)


2.) (Thanks to InsaneDavid for this tip) The pin connectors coming off the bottom of the cartridge need to look like this:

3726

NOT like this:

3727

While there may be examples that contradict these criteria in the wild, the above - ESPECIALLY the chip example is the right way to hunt for Gyromites with converter boards.

I still can't believe it took me so long to realize that was a common difference.

Also remember most of the time you should plan on "thinning" the 60 pin Famicom pass-through since stock it's a little thick and you may have issues getting all Famicom cartridges to fit on it.

[369WIERDO369]

This is my method...

http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/editorials-davidnesconvert003.jpg

http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/editorials-davidnesconvert005.jpg

What does it require? A lot of time.

I sell them when I have one on hand but I haven't made one in years. The cost was equal to someone buying a dremel, a hot glue gun, and a bench vise. ($50.00 +/-)



I still can't believe it took me so long to realize that was a common difference.

Also remember most of the time you should plan on "thinning" the 60 pin Famicom pass-through since stock it's a little thick and you may have issues getting all Famicom cartridges to fit on it.



How exactly did you put that together?

And what do you mean with that last part?

[InsaneDavid]

How exactly did you put that together?

I don't mean to sound like an ass (although we all know I am one), but if I need to explain that, then I'd also feel the need to explain how to insert a game into an NES deck.

Slightly less ass reply: You cut things up and move things around, then adhere it all in place.

[369WIERDO369]

I don't mean to sound like an ass (although we all know I am one), but if I need to explain that, then I'd also feel the need to explain how to insert a game into an NES deck.

Slightly less ass reply: You cut things up and move things around, then adhere it all in place.


In your defense it probably was a really dumb question.
I'm not always the brightest.
The question I meant to ask: What would you recommend for doing the cutting part?

[InsaneDavid]

In your defense it probably was a really dumb question.
I'm not always the brightest.

No problem.


The question I meant to ask: What would you recommend for doing the cutting part?


I sell them when I have one on hand but I haven't made one in years. The cost was equal to someone buying a dremel, a hot glue gun, and a bench vise. ($50.00 +/-)

[johno590]

I had no idea you only had to remove the tabs to play SFC carts on a regular SNES. Never had the urge to play an import, but now I'm seriously considering it.

[theclaw]

An ugly job isn't too bad. Can't be seen when the cart door is shut or a game inserted. If you don't mind pretty hefty cleaning I've got tons of unwanted common SFC carts.

[Edmond Dantes]

Hold it hold it hold it.

So people are saying that Famicom games will play just fine in an NES. Umm, didn't some of Konami's games (Contra, Gradius and Castlevania III especially) have special chips or something in them, and that's why they had slight audio/graphical downgrades when they were localized? Will these play just dandy on NES with a converter or on a clone console like the Yobo? (I've heard CV3 had problems with the Generation NEX)

[theclaw]

Program code is compatible yes. Basically however the cartridge port of NES doesn't link up Famicom enhanced audio. So it needs modding to get around that.

As I understand things the reason CV3 doesn't work on most clones, is because they don't adhere to Nintendo's hardware specs quite right.

Also some NES-to-Famicom (72 to 60 pin) converters don't connect pins necessary for CV3 and a few other games like Fester's Quest to work. This can be modded to fix too.

[369WIERDO369]

I ended up going ahead and buying Gyromite..Had the weird gamebit screws but also had a converter.
Just tested it out to make sure I knew how to use the darn thing..

Besides modifying a case (since I don't know if I'm ready to attempt that..) is there any good way to protect the converter and the pins without putting it back inside Gyromite all the time?

[ZAR]

Remove the tabs on a game genie and play imports that way if you dont want to ruin a prefectly good snes

The only problem with this is that a gamegenie can't play games with the Super FX chips (ex. Star Fox, Mario RPG, Mario World 2) so breaking off those plastic tabs are the only way to go.

[Leo_A]

The only problem with this is that a gamegenie can't play games with the Super FX chips (ex. Star Fox, Mario RPG, Mario World 2) so breaking off those plastic tabs are the only way to go.

I doubt any of those games are things people would be importing. They'd be after the exclusives that didn't reach our shores.

[ZAR]

I doubt any of those games are things people would be importing. They'd be after the exclusives that didn't reach our shores.

Huh ? There's plenty of Japanese only games that use the Super FX chip. My point was that the game genie is limited to non Super FX chip games. So it's not the best option to use for SFC games.

[theclaw]

I should have a pretty good list of games that use the full connector width, it's mainly lacking Japan exclusives:

Super Game Boy
Super Game Boy 2
Megaman X2
Megaman X3
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Dream Land 3
Doom
Mario RPG
Mario World 2
Star Fox
Panic Bomber W
Shining Scorpion Lets & Go
Satellaview BS-X
Dragon Ball Z Hyper Dimension

[Brianvgplayer]

Hold it hold it hold it.

So people are saying that Famicom games will play just fine in an NES. Umm, didn't some of Konami's games (Contra, Gradius and Castlevania III especially) have special chips or something in them, and that's why they had slight audio/graphical downgrades when they were localized? (I've heard CV3 had problems with the Generation NEX)

It's only the games with special sound chips that have problems since the pins in the US NES aren't wired for the extra sound (a couple US Sunsoft games like Batman Return of the Joker have custom graphics chips). From what I heard, graphical problems with special mapper games are due to the adapter, not the system (though some clones may have compatibility problems with some mappers).

Some Famicom games are oversized and won't fit in a toaster NES with adapter, even if they are technically compatible (second model NES should be fine). The issue on the NEX is the US CVIII, not the JP one. I heard on at least one NOAC that Akumajo Densetsu (JP CVIII) works, but not the US CVIII. I also heard that it wasn't wired for the extra sound, which didn't play.

[theclaw]

Yup neither Nintendo or Konami is to blame with US CVIII like I'd said. 99% of Famicom adapters and NOAC's are based on the same faulty design.

[Leo_A]

Huh ? There's plenty of Japanese only games that use the Super FX chip. My point was that the game genie is limited to non Super FX chip games. So it's not the best option to use for SFC games.

There's no reason to act confused. What I said was correct and here is a list of released SuperFX games. Japan didn't get a single SuperFX game that we didn't get (Unless they got Dirt Racer and/or Winter Gold, which appear to be Euro exclusives).

Dirt Racer (PAL)
Dirt Trax FX
Star Fox
Stunt Race FX
Vortex
Doom
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Winter Gold/FX Skiing (PAL)

And the often reproduced Star Fox 2 that was unreleased worldwide.

Here is a list of games that used a special chip, besides the DSP chips that didn't have those extra side connectors. It's taken from the PowerPak's website with the DSP games removed, the never released games I saw like Commanche removed that aren't even available as prototypes, and the titles available domestically or Euro exclusives removed.

I don't see much here that was exclusive to Japan or available in Japan and Europe that would be an in-demand game by North American SuperNes owners? Maybe 2-3 games would even interest someone. I'm not even sure all these special chips utilized the optional extra side connectors.

Daisenryaku Expert WWII: War in Europe SA-1 chip
Derby Jockey 2 SA-1 chip
Dragon Ball Z: Hyper Dimension SA-1 chip
Far East of Eden Zero SPC7110 chip
Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shogi ST011 chip
Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shogi 2 ST018 chip
Itoi Shigesato no Bass Tsuri No. 1 SA-1 chip
J. League '96 Dream Stadium SA-1 chip
Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius SA-1 chip
Jumpin' Derby SA-1 chip
Kakinoki Shogi SA-1 chip
Marvelous: Mouhitotsu no Takarajima SA-1 chip
Masters New: Haruka Naru Augusta 3 SA-1 chip
Mini 4WD Shining Scorpion Let's & Go!! SA-1 chip
Momotaro Dentetsu Happy SPC7110 chip
Pebble Beach no Hotou: New Tournament Edition SA-1 chip
SD F-1 Grand Prix SA-1 chip
SD Gundam G NEXT SA-1 chip
Shin Shogi Club SA-1 chip
Shogi Saikyou SA-1 chip
Shogi Saikyou 2 SA-1 chip
Star Ocean S-DD1 chip
Super Bomberman Panic Bomber World SA-1 chip
Super Power League 4 SPC7110 chip
Super Robot Taisen Gaiden: Maso Kishin SA-1 chip

The one biggie out of those 25 games is Star Ocean. And I think most people would prefer to play with the fan created English translation on something like their favorite SuperNes emulator, a reproduction cartridge intended for a North American console, or through the Super PowerPak multicart (I don't think it works on the Super Everdrive).

Every other retail Japanese release isn't going to utilize those extra side connectors.

[theclaw]

It could reach the point in a year or two where it'll be cheaper to get Rockman X3 with adapter, than an English copy. PAL X3 is already $100+ cart only. US X3 has begun to nudge $70 cart only in mint enough shape.

Didn't Satellaview enhanced games also use the side connectors? Derby Stallion 96, RPG Maker 2, Sound Novel Maker...

[369WIERDO369]

Well, I ended up having my dad modify my cart for me, since he's better with that kind of stuff.
Ended up using an electric saw to cut the cart..
Takes some fiddling to get it to work, but it does work.